In a Marvellous Mosaic Binding by Gomar Estienne, Bookbinder of King Henri II: The First Illustrated Edition of Virgil's Works with more than 200 Woodcuts

Vergilius Maro, Publius. Publij Virgilij maro(n)is opera. Strasbourg, Grüninger, 1502. 6 , 410 (recte: 409), 34 leaves. Title printed in red and black. Folio (c. 300 x 210 mm). Light brown calfskin binding from around 1550 by the royal bookbinder Gomar Estienne: richly and elaborately gilt, with extensive mosaic inlays and painting in several colours, coat-of-arms in the center.

The most beautiful copy of the famous edition

Johann Grüninger’s Strasbourg edition of 1502 with more than 210 large woodcuts is the first illustrated edition of Vergil’s works. The editor Sebastian Brant guided the artists of Grüninger’s studio regarding the conception of the pictures, which in detailed realism depict not so much ancient Roman as Alsatian life around 1500. The book’s high esteem is reflected in the stunningly rich decorated mosaic binding, which the royal bookbinder Gomar Estienne probably created shortly after 1547 for Jacques de Saint-Mesmin, the first president of the Chambre de Comptes de Bretagne, the date of his appointment. The immaculately preserved marquetry binding has direct equivalents in the collection of King Henri II of France (see Reliures Royales de la Renaissance, 1999, passim, esp. n. 104). The combination of the first and finest illustrated edition of Virgil with a royal mosaic binding of the period makes this copy a unique work of art.

Provenance: The oval armorial supralibros is that of Jacques de Saint-Mesmin, Président de la Chambre de Comptes de Bretagne, who was elected President in 1547 - Blindstamped name of Sir Andrew Fountaine on the back cover. - On the flyleaf in an older hand: "Bohn's Catalogue 1820. £ 2. 12. 6." - Engraved bookplate by Maurice Burrus (1882 - 1959) on the front endpaper. - French private collection.

Literature: Adams V 457; BM STC German 895 442; Brun 312; Brunet V, 1277f.; Chrisman, p. 64, A1.3.1; Dibdin, Introduction II, 542; Ebert 23665; Fünf Jahrhunderte 61; Graesse VI/2, 334; Kristeller, Strassburger, pp. 32ff, 41f. and no. 99; Lonchamp, Français II, 470; Mambelli 99; Muther 557; Panzer VI, p. 27f., no. 12; Proctor 9888; Ritter 2411; Schmidt 1879, II, no. 163; Schmidt 1893, no. 60; Schweiger II/2, 1154; Taegert, no. 10; VD 16 V 1332; Wilhelmi 594 (Brant). - On the binding: Hobson, Maioli 40f.

This book has been described in great detail in our catalogue 90 “Wunderkammer”, lot 32. Click here to view the eCatalogue or order the printed version in our Online Shop.

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